Crowdfunded Games Set To Release In 2025

Summary

• Delver’s Drop: An action RPG with retro-style dungeon crawls, physics-based movement, and high praises.
• Loftia: A cozy-style MMO in a Solarpunk world, with group quests, island exploration, and customization.
• UNBEATABLE: A hand-drawn anime rhythm adventure game with unique challenges and illegal music.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of watching a crowdfunded game hit its fundraising goal. In recent years, many developers have been able to get top-notch games into the hands of fans with help from the fans, creating a symbiotic relationship that is truly unique to the gaming community. While major titles have been dropped this way and continue to gain exposure through sequels and triple-A funding, there are still some games slated for 2025 that have already rallied a tremendous amount of support.

When a crowdfunded game hits its established fundraising goal and is no longer at risk of being canceled, that’s when the real fun begins. Whether a game is currently in development or slated for release any day now, there are plenty of crowdfunded games that are due to hit Steam and consoles sometime in 2025. From cozy world-building games to horror adventures, this year is shaping up to be a memorable one for games that got their start with help from future fans.

10

DELVER’S DROP

A 2D Action RPG With Callbacks To Retro-Style Dungeon Crawling

DELVER’S DROP is slated to shine with classy 2D graphics, dungeons that shift and change allowing for multiple playthroughs, and customizable character choices. The game’s physics-based movement sets it apart from other action RPGs, with elements such as lighting and motion adding realistic detail to elevate the retro-style levels.

Early reviews of the game compared it to titles such as Secret of Mana and A Link to the Past, giving it high praise in addition to its unique gameplay classes that allow players to choose from Sorcerer, Rogue, and Gladiator.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded on Kickstarter

9

Loftia

A Cozy MMO Set In A Solarpunk World

Cozy games are still very much on the rise, and Loftia is high on the list of the genre’s crowdfunded releases. While playtests were available to Kickstarter backers in August 2023, fans will hopefully see the official release in December, as it remains the targeted Early Access date.

Loftia incorporates elements of world-building, classic MMOs, and futuristic graphics to create a Solarpunk world in which the player’s mission will be to create a sustainable future. The game will feature group quests, challenging puzzles, and the ability to explore unique biomes with friends. Character customization, home design, and island exploration make this feel like a cozy game, but with an endgame goal that will resonate with many players.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded, Early Access is slated for late 2025

8

UNBEATABLE

A Rhythm Adventure Game Featuring A Hand-Drawn Anime Art Style

UNBEATABLE combines two ultra-unique facets of gameplay to create a highly anticipated rhythm game: hand-drawn anime art styles and a fully original musical score. This rhythm adventure game follows the main character, Beat, as she and her bandmates set out on their own journey through various performances and live shows.

For players, this journey will come in the form of intricate rhythm challenges paired with music to set the mood, as well as mini-games and fun open-world exploration where they can chat with various NPCs. The kicker? In this world, music is illegal—but crime pays.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded, additional release dates will be added for consoles in the future

7

Ephemeris

A Strategy Game With Turn-Based Intergalactic Combat

Ephemeris isn’t a cozy game, nor is it an RPG, but it does sit in its own unique class of gaming. Those who live for strategy-based gameplay, thrive in galactic combat, and are looking for a new turn-based challenge will be happy to hear of this game’s crowdfunding progress.

While it’s already available to wishlist on Steam, there’s no hard and fast release date for Emphemeris—only hints that the game is getting closer to a release. Eager fans can anticipate cinematic space battles, customizable warship designs, unique tech, and the ability to explore other worlds—if they are daring enough to engage in combat.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Started in October 2024

6

LUCID

A 2D Action Adventure RPG Inspired By Classic Platformers

While the current target release date for LUCID is late-2025, this 2D action RPG is already gaining attention as a new-age game that goes back to classic platformer roots. LUCID promises to deliver a unique crystal-punk world that players can experience through the eyes of Oenn, the main character who possesses powerful abilities called Crystal Arts.

Players can look forward to acrobatic challenges, uniquely designed enemies and bosses, and a sense of nostalgia that calls gamers back to the golden era of classic platformer gameplay. LUCID will be released on Steam and consoles, and the exact date is still to be determined.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded on Kickstarter, working on stretch goals

5

Koe

A JRPG With A Unique Mission

Koe (声) is already being compared to games such as Pokemon, Dragon Quest, and Final Fantasy, which makes sense since developer Jitesh Rawal took inspiration from these beloved franchises. This story-driven JRPG emphasizes learning the Japanese language in order to connect with gamers not only through gameplay, but also to bridge barriers through it.

The story of Koe will be a personal one, as gamers traverse a myriad of worlds after arriving at the airport in Japan. Unique aspects of gameplay, such as language-based attacks in a turn-based battle system, already set this crowdfunded game apart from the rest of the genre.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded, Part 1 is already available on Steam to play, with Part 2 to be announced soon

4

Undershadows

An Artistic Horror Adventure RPG

In an age where horror games are continuing to make a comeback thanks to the remakes of Resident Evil and, more recently, inspiration from the Silent Hill 2 remake, a horror adventure RPG such as Undershadows will be highly anticipated. With the release date now reflecting a Q4 2025 timeframe on Kickstarter, fans can expect more news this year from creator ChelseaGrinEden.

While the three-hour demo of this stylistic horror RPG is available to play and even features two bosses, fans will have even more to look forward to as they play through the full release of this dark adventure as a gamer in the Kingdom of Shadows.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded, final playtests are ongoing

3

Mina The Hallower

An 8-Bit Adventure From The Creators Of Shovel Knight

For fans of Shovel Knight, Mina the Hallower is a new action-adventure game that promises to bring the same level of excitement through classic (but updated) 8-bit gameplay, a compelling story, and harrowing battles. What makes this soon-to-be new release so unique is its nod to traditional Game Boy Color-style graphics, immersing gamers in a world of horror and adventure with a nod to nostalgic gaming.

Players will take on this adventure from the perspective of Mina, a Hallower who is also a visionary inventor. Along the way, Mina and friends will unravel the mystery of the game’s island setting, which alludes to the idea that there’s more going on than meets the eye.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Succeeded, release date is forthcoming as of November 2024

2

River Towns

A Cozy City-Builder

Anyone who has had the joy of playing Tavern Talk knows that River Towns comes highly recommended by the developers at Gentle Troll Entertainment. The Tavern Talk developers praised their friends at Frogsong Studios, speaking highly of the water-centric “utopia” players can create once this game is officially released.

Along with building unique waterside towns, players will be able to restore the world’s natural environment, experience gameplay unique to each level, and find ways to make each puzzle work in an effort to bring thriving communities to life.

1

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain

Play As a Delivery Witch In This Cozy Fantasy Adventure

Perhaps one of the most highly-anticipated cozy games of the early 2025 season, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain has been the talk of the indie community for some time now. In this unique adventure, players have the chance to journey through various island locations as Mika, a witch responsible for delivering packages to her fellow townspeople. The game’s vibrant graphics, unique gameplay, and heartfelt story are what captured the early attention of fans and backers, and the anticipation has only continued to grow.

The good news is this: Mika and the Witch’s Mountain was one of the first crowdfunded releases of 2025, and is available to players as of January 22nd.

• Crowdfunding Goal: Completed, game is available on all consoles and Steam as of late January 2025